A section of the A6 is to be re-routed as part of a huge employment development.

The roadworks, on Chorley Road, north of Bolton, are part of Harworth Group’s Wingates employment scheme.

The plans, which were approved by the council last year, will realign a short section of the A6 in Westhoughton.

The new road will provide an access route to the Wingates employment site, where Harworth is set to build up to 1.1 million sq/ft of logistics and manufacturing space.

It will leave Wimberry Hill Road and its Chorley Road junction unaltered, both of which will continue to serve the existing Wingates industrial estate.

The works, which will be carried out by the Bolton-based civil engineers, A E Yates Ltd, will move traffic 40 metres away from nearby homes, and create a new landscaped buffer between the realigned A6 Chorley Road and properties, which will screen the road and provide a green, planted area.

The existing road will be narrowed and retained, providing access for local residents and creating a new cul-de-sac which will be shut off to through-traffic.

Harworth said this will improve safety for residents and access for deliveries.

The work also include a new traffic light junction with pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities and new and improved cycle lanes and pavements.

Harworth said that traffic generation from the development will not change as a result of the new junction and realigned road.

The improvements are expected to complete by spring next year.

The existing A6 Chorley Road will remain open while the new road is being built next to it.

Motorists are being warned that as work progresses, traffic control measures will be put in place for safety, such as traffic lights.

David Burkinshaw, Harworth's north west development director, said: “Construction of the new, dedicated access road to the Wingates site is designed to help improve traffic flows on the A6 Chorley Road.

“Off-site highway improvements are also planned as part of the wider Wingates employment scheme, which will provide substantial benefits to the existing network as well as accommodating traffic generation from the development.

“We are continuing to work with local residents to ensure that they are kept informed throughout the works, and we hope that the landscaped buffer and green, planted area, as well as the new cycle lanes and improved safety measures will also benefit the wider community.”